Dorothy – Hull Number One
The first vessel constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company was delivered in April, 1891. The 90-foot iron tugboat was designed by Horace See and built near present-day Dry Dock 2.
Named for the daughter of former Secretary of the Navy William C. Whitney, the Dorothy operated in New York harbor until 1912. She then returned as the J. Alvah Clark to Hampton Roads, which was to remain her home port for more than 50 years.
A collision in 1964 ended the tugboat’s long and colorful career. A decade later she was rescued from salvage and restored by employees of the same company that had built her more than 80 years earlier.
On June 19, 1976, Dorothy was dedicated to the pride and craftsmanship of the men and women of Newport News Shipbuilding “…the best in the world, because our people are.”
Marker is at the intersection of Washington Avenue and 41st Street, on the right when traveling west on Washington Avenue.
Courtesy hmdb.org
